Automobile lift



Nov. 11, 1941. T. 0Q SNIDER AUTOMOBILE LIFT Filed Feb. 11, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1941. T. o. SNIDER AUTOMOBILE LIFT Filed Feb. 11, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 kw w ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1941 AUTOMOBILE LIFT Theodore 0. Snider, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Joyce-Cridiand Company, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application February 11, 1941, Serial No. 378,401

19 Claims.

This invention relates to automobile lifts and the like. In some automobile lift installations the floor under the lift is provided with recesses or cavities to receive the superstructure of the lift when the latter is in its lowered position, so as to provide a substantially smooth floor when the lift is not in use. in use these recesses are usually open and cause inconvenience to and create a substantial hazard.

such a means in which the closures will be out of the way and will cause no inconvenience or hazard when the lift is in its lowered position with the several parts of the superstructure within the respective recesses.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for positively locking the lift in its elevated position.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for so closing the recesses which will be simple in construction and operation and will require little change in or addition to the lift itself.

Other objects of the invention may appear as the apparatus is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a lift embodying my invention with the superstructure partly broken away; Fig. 2 is a section taken lengthwise through the superstructure on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a staggered section taken through the superstructure on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken through a portion of the lift on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the lift in its elevated position; Fig. 5 is a section through one of the rail recesses, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a small scale elevation of a two post lift embodying the invention.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown the same as applied to a two post lift of a well known construction but it will be understood that this embodiment has been chosen for the purpose of illustration only and that the invention may take various forms and may be applied to lifts of various kinds.

When the lift is elevated and,

In Fig. 6 of the drawings the invention is shown as applied to a two post lift having a divided superstructure. This lift comprises two lifting units I0 spaced apart lengthwise of the vehicle which is to be supported thereby and each provided with a separate superstructure ll adapted to engage respectively the front and rear portions of the vehicle. The two superstructures II are not connected one to the other but are spaced apart so as to provide easy access to the space beneath a vehicle on the lift and to avoid unnecessary interference with the movements of an operator beneath the vehicle. The two lifting units are operated and controlled in unison so as to constitute a single lifting mechanism but each lifting unit constitutes in itself a complete lift and can be used alone by merely providing it with a superstructure adapted to support the whole vehicle, as is common in single post lifts. Therefore each lifting unit will be herein treated as a lift and inasmuch as the two lifts are identical it will be necessary to describe but one of them.

Each lift comprises a vertically movable lifting element, here shown as a ram l2 which is mounted in a cylinder sunk in the floor structure. The superstructure may be of any desired character suitable for the particular service re-- quired of the lift, and is shown as comprising a cross head 14 of box-like construction rigidly secured to the upper end of the ram and extending laterally beyond the respective sides of the ram. Vehicle supporting elements, here shown as rails i5, are rigidly secured to the respective ends of the cross head 14 and extend lengthwise of the lift on opposite sides of the ram. For the purpose of holding the lift against rotation about a vertical axis suitable guide rods iii are rigidly secured to the cross head I4, as by attaching them to brackets l1 carried by the cross head. These rods extend into guide cylinders l8 mounted in the floor structure and move vertically in those cylinders as the ram is raised and lowered. The means for operating and controlling the ram form no part of the present invention and are not illustrated but these may be of the usual or any suitable character.

The floor structure beneath the superstructure is provided with recessesto receive the various parts of the superstructure when the lift is moved to its lowermost position. These recesses are of such a depth that when the superstructure is in the recesses the upper surfaces of the superstructure will be approximately flush with the surface of the floor structure. In the present arrangement the several recesses are so connected one with the other as to constitute in effect a single recess. Thus the recess l9 extends transversely to the lift to receive the cross head l4, and rail receiving recesses extend lengthwise of the lift and are connected. with the respective ends of the recess l9. Other recesses 2| extend forwardly and rearwardly from the transverse recess I9 to receive the brackets IT to which the guide rods it are secured and these recesses 2| are in open communication with the transverse recess |9.

Closures of any suitable character may be provided for closing the upper ends of the several recesses when the lift is moved to its elevated position, but it is preferable that they be of such a character and so arranged that they will be entirely out of the way when the superstructure is moved into the recesses. For this purpose I prefer that the closures should be in the form of plates, of sheet metal or the like, adapted to be moved into the lower portions of the respective recesses beneath the respective parts of the superstructure, and that means be provided for moving these closure plates upwardly into recess closing positions adjacent to the tops of the respective recesses and preferably substantially flush with the floor surface. In the arrangement here shown these closures comprise a closure plate 22 for the transverse opening I9, longitudinal closure plates 23 for the rail. recesses 20 and closure plates 24 for the recesses 2|. The transverse closure plate 22 is provided with a central opening through which" the ram l2 extends and the fore and aft closure plates 24 are provided with openings through which the guide rods liextend. These several closure plates are preferably so connected one with the other that they may move into andout of closing positions in unison and may all be actuated by a single actuating mechanism. These several plates may be connected one with the other in any suitable manner but in the present instance the several plates are so joined one with the other, at their adjacent edges, as to form in effect a single closing structure, and they may, if desired, be formed from a single piece of sheet metal. The closures may be reinforced in any suitable manner to prevent flexing and to provide a firm support when in their closed positions. In the present arrangement reinforcing bars 25 extend transversely to the closing structure between the ram cylinder I3 and the guide cylinders l8, and a channel bar 26 is rigidly secured to the lower sides of the closures 23 for the rail recesses.

Any suitable means may be provided for moving the closures into and out of their closing positions adjacent the tops of the respective recesses and for properly positioning the same with relation to the floor surface. In the construction here illustrated, stop elements are secured to the floor structure flush with the surface thereof and extend inwardly beyond the walls of the respective recesses. The floor structure, which is shown at 21, is usually of concrete and the stops may conveniently be in the form of metal strips 28 embedded in the concrete, extending about the with they are substantially flush with the floor surface, being spaced therefrom only by the thickness of the stop strips.

Preferably the movement of the closures into and out of closing positions is positively controlled by the movement of the liftingelement or ram l2 and, in the present instance, I have utilized the guide rods l6 as a part of the means for actuating the closure plates. Inasmuch as the distance which the closure plates must be moved to bring them into closing positions is much less than the distance which the ram moves in elevating the lift, the actuating means is of such a character that it will be free to move with relation to the closures during the initial upward movement of the ram but will be connected with the closure plates after a predetermined movement has been imparted to the ram, so as to move the closures to closed position during the final upward movement of the ram. The preferred means for effecting this movement comprises sleeves 30 mounted about the guide rods l6, rigidly secured at their upper' ends to the adjacent closure plates 24 and slidably mounted in the guide cylinders l8. Each sleeve is of a length less than the length of the guide rod and when the lift is in its lower position, and the closures are in the lower portions of the recesses, the guide rod will extend a substantial distance beyond the lower end of the sleeve. At its lower end the guide rod is provided with a shoulder, such as the circumferential flange 3|, which is in line with the lower edge of the sleeve 30 and which also tends to prevent the guide rod from tilting. When the ram is elevated the guide rod moves upwardly with relation to the sleeve until the ram has completed a predetermined movement and the shoulder 3| then picks up the sleeve and carries the sleeve and the closure upwardly until the closure contacts with the stop strips 28 just as the ram reaches the upper limit of its movement. The several closures being rigidly connected one with the other the elevation of the closures 24, which are directly actuated by recess and extending inwardly beyond the walls thereof, these walls being preferably provided with sheet metal liners 29. The inwardly extending portions of these stop strips overhang the adjacent portions of the several closure plates and limit the upward movement of the latter. The stop strips are of relatively thin sheet metal and when the closure plates are in "contact therethe guide rods, serves to move all the closures simultaneously to closing positions. While a single actuating device might be used to operate the closures it is preferable that both guide rods It be provided with actuating means as this serves to prevent any tendency of the closing structure to tilt either in movement or under the weight of the operator when he steps upon the same.

To provide means for positively locking the guide rods and ram in their elevated positions the recesses 2| in the floor structure are extended some distance beyond the outer edges of the closures 24 to provide an extra space 32 in the recess in which locking elements may be located. The stop strips 28 at the upper edges of the recesses 2| extend inwardly over these outer portions of the recesses 2| into overlapping relation to the closure plates 24 and thus constitute stationary or permanent closures for the outer portions 32 of the recesses, as shown at 33. Mounted in each recess is a locking element preferably in the form of an angular rod slidable in a suitable guide 34 in the portion 32 of the recess, and having a substantially horizontal portion 35 arranged to have locking engagement with the adjacent guide rod IS, the latter being in the present instance provided with a transverse opening 36 through which the locking member 35 may extend when the lift is in its elevated position. Preferably the part 35 of the locking member has supporting contact with the upper end of the guide cylinder l8 and to permit the closure plate 24 to be moved to its lowermost position the closure plate is provided with a slot 24a to permit it to move beyond the upper surface of the part 35 of the locking element. The-other arm 35 of the locking rod extends upwardly through a slot 38 in the stationary closure 33 for the outer portion of the recess. 'Above'thls stationary closure the rod is provided with a head 39 which is preferably supported on the closure for sliding movement to move the part 35 of the locking rod into or out of locking engagement with the guide rod, the arrangement being such that the operator may conveniently actuate the look by engaging the head 39 with his foot.

The operation of the apparatus will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that when the lift is in its lower position the closures are located in the lower portions of the respective recesses beneath the superstructure and that as the lift moves upwardly toward its elevated position the closures are picked up by the actuating device and moved to their closed positions at the tops of the recesses, and are positively retained in these positions until the ram begins its downward movement. When the lift is lowered the closures will be moved downwardly by gravity until they reach their lowermost positions and the lift then moves downwardly with relation thereto. Should the closures fail to move downwardly by gravity they will be engaged bythe superstructure and positively moved to their lower positions.

Further, it will be apparent that the closures and their actuating mechanism are very simple both in construction and operation and that they may be applied to an existing lift with very little change in the construction of the latter.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift. is moved to its lowermost position, a closure supported normally in the lower portion of said recess beneath said superstructure, said lifting element being movable with A relation to said closure and means connected with said lifting element to move said closure to closing position adjacent the top of said recess as said lift is elevated and for supporting the same in said closing position as long as said lift is in its elevated position.

2. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess movable into and out of a closing position substantially flush with the floorv surface, and a device connected with said lifting element for movement therewith and having means operable during a portion only of the movement of said lifting element for moving said closure to closing position during the upward movement of said lifting element.

3. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure supported normally in the lower portion of said recess beneath said superstructure, and a device connected with said lifting element for movement therewith, normally disconnected from said closure and having means controlled by said lifting element for moving said closure bodily to a closing position adjacent the top ofsaid recess.

4. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure supported normally in the lower portion of saidrecess beneath said superstructure, a device connected with said lifting element for movement therewith, and a part connected with said closure and arranged to be engaged by said device after initial upward movement has been imparted to said lifting element and to move said closure to closing position during the continued upward movement of said lifting element.

5. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess movable into and out of a closing position adjacent the top of said recess, a part connected with said lifting element for movement therewith and movable with relation to said closure during the initial upward movement of said lifting element, and means for connecting said part with said closure to move the latter to closing position during the further upward movement of said lifting element.

6. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess movable into and out of a closing position adjacent the top of said recess, a rod, means for connecting said rod with said lifting element for movement thereby, and means actuated by said rod for moving said closure to closing position during the upward movement of said lifting element.

7. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess movable into and out of a closing position adjacent the top of said recess, a vertically movable rod extending above and below said closure, means for connecting said rod with said lifting element for movement thereby, and means for connecting said rod with said closure during a portion only of the movement of said lifting element to move said closure to closing position during the upward movement of said lifting element.

8. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure supported normally in said recess below the top thereof, and a rod connected near its upper end withsaid lifting element, extending downwardly to a point below said closure and having near its lower end means for connecting the same with said closure after said lifting element has moved upwardly a predetermined distance and thereby moving said closure to closing position adjacent the top of said recess during the continued upward movement of said lifting element. Y

.9. Incombination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess supported normally in the lower portion of said recess beneath said superstructure, a cylinder extending downwardly from said recess, a sleeve slidably mounted in said cylinder and connected with said closure, and a rod connected with said lifting element for vertical movement therewith, extending through said sleeve to a point below the latter and having a part arranged to engage said sleeve during the upward movement of said rod and move said closure to closing position.

10. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure having a plurality of connected parts, and a floor structure having a plurality of recesses arranged to receive the respective parts of said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for each recess movable into and out of closing position adjacent the top of said recess, and means actuated by said lifting element and normally disconnected from said closure for movingthe several closures to their closing positions substantially simultaneously.

11. In combination with a lift comprising a,

lifting element and a superstructure having a plurality of connected parts, and a floor structure having a plurality of recesses arranged to receive the respectiveparts of said superstruc- -ture when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, closures for the respective recesses movable into and out of closing positions adjacent the tops of said recesses and connected one with the other for movement in unison, a device connected with said lifting element for movement thereby and normally disconnected from said closures, and means for connecting said device with a part only of said closures to move all of said closures to closing positions during the up-- ward movement of said lifting element.

12. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure having a plurality of connected parts, and a floor structure having a plurality of recesses arranged to receive the respective parts of said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, closures for the respective recesses movable into and out of closing positions adjacent the tops of said recesses and connected one with the other for movement in unison, cylinders extending downwardly from recesses on opposite sides of said lifting, element, rods connected with said lifting element for movement therewith and extending into the respective cylinders, devices slidably mounted in said cylinders and connected respectively with the closures which are above said cylinders, and means for connecting said rods with said devices to move said closures to closing positions during the upward movement of said lifting element.-

13. In combination with a lift comprising a' lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess movable into and out of a closing position substantially flush with the surface of said floor structure, means controlled by said lift for moving said closure to said closing position as said lift is elevated, said recess having a part extending beyond said movable closure, a stationary closure for said part of said recess, and means mounted in said recess for locking said lifting element in an elevated position and having a part arranged above'said stationary closure for moving the same into and out of locking position.

14. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess movable into and out of a closing position adjacent the top of said recess, a rod, means for connecting said rod with said lifting element for movement thereby, means actuated by said rod for moving said closure to closing position during the upward movement of said lifting element, a locking device mounted in said recess for movement into and out of locking engagement with said rod, and means arranged exteriorly of said recess for actuating said locking device.

15. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess movable into and out of a closing position adjacent the top of said recess, a rod, means for connecting said rod with said lifting element for movement thereby, means actuated by said rod for moving said closure to closing position during the upward movement of said lifting element, said recess having a part extending beyond said movable closure, a stationary closure for said part of said recess having a slot therein, a locking device mounted in said recess, having a part movable into locking engagement with said rod and having a second part extending through and slidable in said slot.

16. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a movable closure for said recess, a normally inoperative device for moving said closure into closing position with relation to said recess, including means controlled by said liftin element for rendering said device operative dur-' ing a portion only of the movement of said lifting element.

17. In combination with 'a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure for said recess movable into and out of a closing position substantially flush with the surface of said floor structure, and normally disconnected from said lifting element, and means controlled by said lifting element for connecting the latter with said closure and causing said closure to be moved to said closing position as said lift is elevated.

18. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowerupward movement of said lifting element and thereby causing said closure to be moved by said lifting element to a position adjacent the top of said recess.

19. In combination with a lift comprising a lifting element and a superstructure, and a floor structure having a recess to receive said superstructure when said lift is moved to its lowermost position, a closure supported normally in a position spaced from the top thereof a distance less than the normal travel of said lifting element, and means controlled by said lifting element and operable during a portion only of the upward movement of said lifting element for moving said closure to closing position adjacent the top of said recess.

THEODORE O. SNIDER. 

